"Volunteer firefighters have a brotherhood and sisterhood. It is a feeling that you are doing something wonderful for someone - you saved them, their pets, their houses or cars. We have done it all. You feel something in your heart that you can't put into words," King said.

Some may wonder how a group of volunteers can get to a fire in nine minutes from the call. They have jobs, might be shopping, or at the beach.

"We depend on mutual aid from surrounding towns. All the fire departments from the region will hear the call," King said.

It takes a firefighter 90 seconds to suit up. Added to his or her weight is 60 to 70 pounds of gear and a hose.

No one can challenge his or her sacrifice and dedication. Seared in the memory of people who experienced Sept. 11 is the picture taken by someone going down the stairway of the firefighters going up - 300 of them never coming back.